Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Green Real Estate - Interest Grows in California

I grew up in North Hollywood, California. I remember attending Monlux elementary school in Van Nuys when "Ecology" became big news. That's 40+ years ago! Back then it was about recyling. We'd have huge newspaper drives to divert some of that trash for re-use. I didn't really understand what was happening back then but now I realize that I was witnessing the birth of something important. California really was the birthplace of the "Green" movement. Sometimes it seems like the rest of the country is just catching up. And now that we are reaching the onset of the economic recovery we are beginning to see emerging technologies leading the way, and in the forefront of these technologies will be the development of green building products and real estate practices. Nowhere in the United States are they more focused on developing environmentally responsible practices than in California. This focus will create a growing opportunity for green real estate in California that will be something people will want to be a part of in the years to come.

As a seller of homes or commercial properties, environmentally sound additions are always a major selling point. Being able to point out the smaller carbon footprint of one home compared to another will be a desirable feature to a homebuyer. Californians have led the way in developing green practices such as solar and wind generated power and energy saving building materials and techniques. Any property in California that can state the energy efficient inclusions in the home is far more likely to sell before homes that have no environmental awareness at all. Taking into account the importance of environmental responsibility is imperative if a seller wishes to be successful in the state of California.

As a buyer in California, green real estate is just another of the enormous number of incentives to purchase a home in 2010. As if the extraordinary home prices and interest rates together with the tax incentives to purchase a primary residence were not enough, there will now be added seller competitiveness to offer green options in the homes they are selling. The climate of environmental concern is prevalent in California. Many homes have either been built or retrofitted with more environmentally friendly features and products than in any other state. If the choice comes down to two homes in the same price range, it would make more sense for a buyer to purchase a home that will save them money continuously with the energy savings that are provided in a green home. With California's awareness of the need to become ecologically responsible, there is no reason for a buyer to choose a home that is not environmentally sound.

One of the most important industries in the future of our economy will be the usage and development of green real estate practices, and California those holding a California real estate license would be wise to learn all they can about the subject.. In doing so, California will set the stage for the nation to create stronger economic opportunity in environmental responsibility. Buyers and sellers alike will not be able to ignore the absolute importance of green real estate to the overall state of the economy in California. For decades, ever since there has been discussion about the need to protect the environment, California has been a leader in environmental and ecological issues and will continue to push forward in environmentally responsible real estate practices.